And Benedick, love on; I will requite thee

One of my favorite parts of Much Ado About Nothing was when Beatrice was tricked into believing that Benedick loved her. Immediately after hearing Ursula and Hero discuss Benedick's affections for her, Beatrice decides she must leave behind her former contempt and maiden, pride, because such things are not as glorious as the possibility of love. My favorite line (in act 3, scene 2) is line 117: "And Benedick, love on; I will requite thee." This is a softer side of Beatrice, a side that, up until this point, we have not been able to see. This decision to requite Benedick's love may seem sudden and impulsive, like an infatuation that will quickly disappear. However, I think that Beatrice's love is actually much more than this. Perhaps the harsh words and quick tongue that Beatrice displays throughout Much Ado About Nothing are actually walls that Beatrice has built up around herself to prevent any further heartache than she has already experienced. We learn from Beatrice's conversation with Don Pedro at the ball that her heart had been broken before, that she would rather put an end to a relationship early on than risk having her heart broken (2.1.271-81). Perhaps Beatrice's complex character is intended to teach us that people's hearts are filled with more heartache, grief, and fear than we might know. Because we never know what people are going through, it is our duty to be kind to everyone, to put aside judgements, and to love unconditionally.

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